The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-03-25
THE PROFESSIONALLY PRISON.
Towards Deficit Increasing Under Thor
0ugh Examination of His Accounts.

Attorney general Kitchener returned from JEFF
fersonville yesterday He says that the investi-
cation of Jack Towards prison accounts reveals
shortages other than those shown by the
ex-wardens reports on file in the Auditor of
States office and those the House prison COM
mittee discovered Howard it is charged, had
representative who would 60 TO merchants in
Louisville, and secure from them rates which
did not appear in the various invoices. The in
voice price, larger than that paid by Howard to
the merchants. would be charged to the State.
There is an instance of Howard buying molasses
at 30 cents per gallon for which he was paid by
the State % cents. He paid at the rate of 30
cents for three ounces of tobacco, and when
Patton took charge he bought the same quality
OF tobacco at the rate Of 20 cents for four
ounces. 1t is difficult to tell where the short
ages will end. for the deeper the investigators
go into the accounts the more is to be added to
the deficit. 1t will probably stop near 5000, 600.
Howard is not at all depressed over the prospects
of being prosecuted on an indictment from the
grand jury. He is as frisky and defiant as ever,
with contemptuous illusions to the efforts being
made to establish case against him. Howard Is
not embarrassed with a surplus of humility.
Although he has been out of Office several weeks
he is still getting his house rent at the expense
of the State. Warden Patton has been unable
to get possession of the residence at the prison
on account Of his predecessor showing no will
ingness TO secure another home.
When Mr. Patton took charge of the prison
there was no discipline among the under officers
and prisoners condition only little short
OF INSTRUMENTATION existed. but within weeks
time. the Attorney general says, the new warden
brought around complete order and obedience
A great pressure was put to work on Patton to
have him appoint good proportion of the Of
fcers and guards from Jacksonville ward
workers, but he refused to give anyone from
that town place. He has gone further. and
rejected the application of anyone who came to
him with the recommendation of politicians
In this the new directors are giving him their
support. With the directors recently appointed
the Encouragement says he is very favorably
| impressed as to their business qualifications.
1t is a significant incident that Frank Pritch-
EFT, late Door keeper of the Senate, and who
controlled the squad of sluggers in protecting
| the revolutionary Senators, refused recoeni-
| tion by the new warden He wanted to be his
assistant, and for weeks sought influences which
| he presumed would be Of force with the new ad
ministraton at the prison. Pritchett got the
| Endorsement of all the Democratic Senators.
notably among them that of Green Smith. As
| if this was not enough they, in session of the
| Senate. had a resolution adopted recommending
| him for appointment assistant warden. He
| went over TO Jeffersonville and spent several
| days in looking after his chances but Patton
| would not have him and Representative Barnes
got the position